Apparatus for washing venetian blinds



1954 G. MEYER 2,695,216

APPARATUS FOR WASHING VENETIAN BLINDS Filed Aug. 6, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheetl BLIND JUPPORTING FRA ME INVENTOR.

GOTTFR/ED MEYER Ii BY ATTORNEYS Dec. 7, 1954 G. MEYER APPARATUS FORWASHING VENETIAN BLINDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 6, 1953 OPERATINGUNIT s R w w N m m a 2 E w w A H- m 7 a E 4 2 n/ L a m M n "H M OV-p B06 "Z n Zane q/IQ.-- ii m u M w 3 o w z I w Z 9: 4 j M m L115 m Z H E #63 3 4 9 2. 2 H 4! M m 6 Z 7 b 2/ 7. a z u 21 2 w ted States Patent Thisinvention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus ormachines for washing and cleaning Venetian blinds,- whereby suchblindsmay be thoroughly and expeditiously cleaned at very low cost.

Machines have heretofore been developed for washing and cleaningVenetian blinds, but such known machines have not been entirelysatisfactory because they require that the Venetian blinds to be washedbe taken apart or disassembled to position them in. the machine forwashing, which obviously adds materially to the cost of cleaning theblinds.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, is to providea' machine of this general type whereinall of the objectionable featuresnow inherent in such machines of known construction have been completelyeliminated.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine forwashing, drying and cleaning Venetian blinds, which is so constructedthat one or more blinds may be positioned within the machine withoutrequiring the blinds to be disassembled, and means being provided forspacing apart the slats of each blind when said blinds are secured inposition in the machine, thereby to permit free circulation of thewateror cleaning fluid between the slats, when the machine is operated.

A further object of the invention isto provide a machine for washing andcleaning Venetian blinds, which comprises a tank adapted'to contain asuitable cleaning. fluid, and a shaft being mounted. for rotation insaid tank, and having a plurality of blind supporting frames securedthereto in alignment lengthwise of the shaft, each pair of said framesbeing adapted to' support one or more Venetian blinds. so that when theshaft is rotated, said blinds are passed through the cleaning fluid inthe lower portion of the tank, whereby the cleaning fluid may readilypass between the slats of each blind and thus eflect a thorough cleaningof the opposed surfaces thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the classdescribedv comprisinga shaft having two or more blind-supporting hubsadjustably mounted thereon, whereby they may be axially adjusted-on theshaft to adapt the machine for washing Venetian blinds of variouslengths, and means being provided for rotating the shaft in oppositedirections, first in one direction, and thenthe other direction, therebyto effect more thorough and completev cleaning of the opposed surfacesofthe slots in a comparatively short interval of time, whereby theapparatus readily lends itself for commercial use for washing, cleaning,and drying Venetian blinds in large quantities.

A further object of the invention resides in the unique construction ofthe blind supporting frames secured to the hubs on the shaft, whichframes are so constructed that one or two blinds may be quickly insertedinto each frame and secured in position therein with the slats of eachblind uniformly spaced apart to permit free circulation of the cleaningfluid between the slats when the machine is operated.

A further and more specificobject of the invention resides in the uniqueconstruction of the individual blind supporting frames, each such framecomprising opposed rails disposed in fixedparallel relation, and havinginwardly facing grooves therein adapted to removably receive a pairofbars in back to back relation, said bars each having a serrated edgefor engaging the edges of the slats at one side of a given blind, theopposed edges of said-slats being received between the serrations of a"ice similar bar fixed to the blind supporting frame, whereby such blindis supported between two serrated bars which cooperate to retain theslats of each blind in spaced relation, and each such frame alsoincluding a pivoted frame member which may be swung outwardly to an openposition to permit insertion of the blinds and serrated bars into theframe, or the removal of the blinds therefrom, said pivoted frame memberbeing adapted to be swung into locking engagement with one of the otherframe members, thereby to secure the Venetian blinds in proper spacedrelation in said frames, two or more such frames usually being requiredto support one or more such blinds.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine for washingand drying Venetian blinds comprising an operating mechanism forrotating the shaft so that the Venetian blinds secured in position inthe blind supporting frames thereof pass through the cleaning fluid inthe lower portion of the tank, first in one direction, for two or morerevolutions, and then in the opposite direction, whereby the turbulentaction of the cleaning fluid between the slats of each blind quickly andthoroughly dissolves and removes all grime and foreign matter adheringthereto, after which the cleaning fluid may be quickly drained from thetank, and a supply of warm air circulated lengthwise through the tank,while rotating the blinds therein, thereby to effect thorough andcomplete cleaning and dry? ing of the blinds in a comparatively shortinterval of time, and without requiring that the blinds be disassembled,as is now common practice when using conventional machines of thisgeneral type.

Other objects of the invention reside in the simple and inexpensiveconstruction of the machine, as a whole, whereby it may be manufacturedin quantity production at very low cost; and in the unique constructionof the blind supporting means, whereby an inexperienced, unskilledattendant may readily operate the machine.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for theirattainment will be more apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structuredesigned to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is tobe understood that the invention is not confined to the exact featuresshown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the. claimswhich follow.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved machine for WashingVenetian blinds, partially broken away to more clearly illustrate thepositions of the blinds in the tank, and with the operating mechanismomitted;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1, on a larger scale, with the coverremoved to show the adjustability of the blind supporting frames on theshaft;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, on astill larger scale, showing the arrangement of the blind supportingframes on the shaft;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view showing one of the split hubs forsupporting the blind supporting frames on the shaft;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view illustrating the method ofinserting. orremoving the blinds from the blind supporting frames; and

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the linev 66 of Figure 4.

The novel machine herein disclosed is shown comprising a suitableelongated tank, generally designated by the numeral 2, preferablysupported upon a plurality of legs 3 which may be secured thereto bysuch means as welding, although it is to be understood that they may beotherwise secured, if desired. The tank has a semi-cylindrical bottom,and its side and end walls extend upwardly and cooperate to provide theopen top 4 of the tank. A suitable flanged cover 5 provides a closurefor the open top of the tank to prevent splashing of the cleaning fluidfrom the tank, when the Venetian blinds are rotated therein, as willsubsequently be described.

A shaft 6'extends longitudinally through the tank, and is shown mountedin suitablebearings secured to the end walls of the tank, as indicatedat 77 in Figure 2. These bearings may be of any desired constructionsuitable for the purpose, and should be leak-proof to prevent leakage ofthe cleaning fluid therethrough.

One of the important features of the invention resides in the meansprovided within the tank for removably supporting the Venetian blindstherein during the cleaning and drying operation. Such means is showncomprising a plurality of open blind supporting frames, generallydesignated by the numeral 8. Each frame 8 comprises a rail 9 which issuitably secured to one side of a square hub 10 by such means as bolts11. The hub 18 is split, as indicated at 12, and the two parts thereofare adjustably clamped or secured to the shaft by clamping bolts 13received in suitable apertures provided in spaced lugs 14 provided inthe two halves of each hub 10.

Each frame 8 further comprises a rail 15 which is secured in spacedparallel relation to its complemental rail 9 by an elongated connectingrail 16, to the ends of which the adjacent ends of rails 9 and 15 arewelded or otherwise secured, so as to prevent relative movement of therails 9 and 15 with respect thereto. For the sake of clarity, the rails9 and 15 will hereinafter be referred to as the inner and outer rails,respectively.

Disposed in opposed relation to the elongated rail 16, is a similar rail17 which has its inner end pivoted to the adjacent end of the inner rail9, as indicated at 18. The opposite or outer end of rail 17 is shownhaving a mitered connection with the adjacent end of the outer rail 15,and is secured in closed position, as shown in Figure 4, by a springbiased latch 19 secured to the outer rail 15.

Rails 9, 15, 16 and 17 of each blind supporting frame 8 are preferablychannel-shaped in cross-section, as will be understood by reference toFigures 4, 5 and 6. Fixedly secured within the opposed rails 16 and 17of each frame 8 are a pair of serrated bars 21 and 22, respectively,having their serrated edges facing inwardly with the bottoms or roots ofthe serrations disposed outwardly beyond the adjacent edges of theflanges of the rails 16 and 17 to permit the edges of the slatssupported between said serrations to readily clear the flanges of therails 16 and 17, as shown in Figure 4. The bars 21 and 22 may be securedin fixed position within their respective rails 16 and 17 by suitablemeans as, for example, welding.

Removably mounted in each blind supporting frame 8, in back to backrelation, are a pair of relatively wider serrated bars 23 and 24 havingtheir inner and outer ends slidably supported in rails 9 and 15,respectively, as will be understood by reference to Figure 4. Theoutwardly directed edges of bars 23 and 24 are serrated in a mannersimilar to the inwardly directed serrated edges of the fixed bars 21 and22, whereby the serrations of the bar 23 may cooperate with theserrations of fixed bar 21 to support the slats 25 of a Venetian blind,generally designated by the numeral 26, and the bar 24 similarlycooperates with the fixed bar 22 to support a blind 27, as shown inFigures 3 and 4.

When inserting the Venetian blinds into two or more aligned frames 8,the pivoted bar 17 of each frame is swung into open position, as shownin Figure 5, whereby it may be supported upon the fixed rail 16 of anadjacent frame 8, as shown in Figure 5.

To insert the Venetian blinds 26 and 27 into aligned rails 8, theserrated bars 24 and 23 of each blind supporting frame are removed, aswill be understood by reference to Figure 5. Blind 26 is then insertedinto the aligned frames with the adjacent edges of its slats receivedbetween the serrations of the bars 21. Next, the movable serrated bars23 are inserted into their respective frames 8 with their serrationsentering between the adjacent edges of the slats at the opposite sidesof the blind, as shown in Figure 4. The slats may be tilted to anydesired angle to control the circulation of the cleaning fluid betweenthe slats of the blind.

Next, the movable serrated bars 24 are slid into their respective blindsupporting frames 8 with their backs engaging the backs of theircomplemental bars 23, after which the blind 27 is inserted into thealigned frames 8 with the forward edges of its slats entering betweenthe serrations of bars 24. Thereafter, the pivoted bars 17 of theseveral blind supporting frames 8 are swung upwardly into interlockingengagement with their latches 19, whereby the serrations of the bars 22of the pivoted rails 17 will engage the adjacent edges of the slats ofVenetian blind 27, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4.

When the blinds are thus secured in the frames 8, the slats of eachblind are retained in spaced relation, as shown in Figures 3 and 4,thereby to assure free circulation of the cleaning fluid therebetween,with the assurance that the entire surfaces of all slats are thoroughlyand completely subjected to the cleaning and scouring action of thecleaning fluid passing therebetween, when the shaft is rotated, as willsubsequently be described. The bars 21, 22, 23 and 24 may be constructedof any suitable material applicable for the purpose. Aluminum has beenfound a desirable metal, as it is rustproof and light in weight, and theserrations may readily be formed therein without costly machine work.

The supporting hubs 10 are slidably secured to the shaft 6 so that theymay be axially adjusted thereon to adapt the apparatus for washingVenetian blinds of various lengths. The hubs 10 are prevented fromrelative rotation on the shaft 6 by such means as a feather key 20 shownin Figures 3 and 4. This feather key may extend substantially the lengthof shaft 6, and is secured in fixed relation thereto so that it servesas a spline for non-rotatably supporting the hubs on the shaft.

In Figure 2, two relatively short Venetian blinds are shown secured inposition in adjacent supporting frames 8. If relatively longer blindsare to be washed, as indicated by the dotted lines 28 in Figure 2, theframe member 8 is moved inwardly to the dotted line position 29, and ifstill longer blinds are to be washed, it may be necessary to utilizethree blind supporting frames, as indicated by the reference charactersa, b and c.

In Figure 3 it will noted, four blind supporting frames 8 are secured tothe shaft 6, whereby eight complete Venetian blinds may be cleaned atone time. When four ,such frames are utilized, two, four, six, or eightcomplete blinds may be cleaned at one time, it being understood that theblinds to be washed should be so mounted on the shaft that the shaft isalways in proper balance. If only two blind supporting frames areutilized, they are disposed in diametrically opposed relation.

The means for operating the shaft 6 is schematically illustrated inFigure 2, and, as here shown, comprises a motor 31 having a chain drive32 operatively connecting it to a suitable speed reducer 33 ofconventional design. The speed reducer 33 may be operatively connectedto an operating unit, generally designated by the numeral 34, having achain drive 35 operatively connecting it to the shaft 6. The chain drive35 includes a Sprocket wheel 36, which is keyed or otherwise fixedlysecured to the shaft 6, as will be understood. The operating unit 34 isof the type embodying a reversing mechanism so that the shaft 6 isalternately rotated, first in one direction, and then in the other,which alternate rotary movements may continue throughout each cycle ofoperation, thereby to obtain maximum cleaning action of the Water orcleaning fluid on the blinds.

In some instances, it may be desired to completely dry the blinds beforeremoving them from the tank. This is accomplished by circulating Warmair through the tank 2 after the cleaning fluid or water has beendrained therefrom through a suitable drain 37, shown in Figure 3. Thecleaning fluid may be delivered into a suitable reservoir or receivingmeans not shown, from which it may later be pumped back into the tank 2for further use, if so desired. After the blinds have been thoroughlysubjected to the scrubbing action of the cleaning fluid in the tank, andthe cleaning fluid has been drained from the tank, warm clean water maybe sprayed over the blinds in the tank to rinse the dirty cleaning fluidtherefrom, before introducing the warm drying air into the tank. Suchrinsing water may readily be applied to the blinds while slowly rotatingthem in the tank.

T0 circulate air through the tank, an inlet conduit 38 is secured to oneend wall of the tank which is connected to a suitable source of warm orhot air, under pressure, not shown in the drawings. At the opposite endof the tank there is provided an air outlet conduit 39 which may exhaustdirectly to the atmosphere or into a suitable receiving means, notshown.

The novel apparatus herein disclosed has been found to be extremelypractical and eflicient in actual use, because of the fact that theVenetian blinds may be quickly inserted into or removed from the blindsupporting .frames 8 without in any way disassembling the blinds.

The capacity of the machine for washing and drying Venetian blinds isalmost unlimited, as compared to apparatus now in common use for thispurpose. It provides an ideal apparatus for quickly and economicallywashing blinds utilized in hotels and numerous other public buildingsWhere a large number of such blinds are frequently utilized.

The cleaning action of the fluid on the surfaces of the slats may becontrolled to a large degree by the angle at which the slats aresupported between the serrated bars 21-23 and 2224. The construction ofthe apparatus is also extremely simple and inexpensive, as the serratedbars 21 and 22 are all alike in configuration, and are thereforeinterchangeable, and, in like manner, the bars 23 and 24 are of likeconstruction.

When mounting Venetian blinds in the supporting frames 8, the usualoperating cords thereof are preferably wound around the upper horizontalsupporting members 41 and 42 of each blind, whereby they are subjectedto the cleaning action of the cleaning fluid or water, when the machineis operated, with the result that the operating cords are simultaneouslycleaned when cleaning the blinds.

In the drawings I have shown the ends of the blinds positioned adjacentto the hubs 10, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. If desired, they mayreadily be inverted in the frames 8 by simply inverting the serratedbars 21, 22, 23 and 24 therein.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly aspermissible in view of the prior art.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a tank having a cleaningfluid therein, a shaft rotatable in said tank, a pair of blindsupporting members mounted upon and rotatable with said shaft, eachblind supporting member including a pair of clamping bars cooperable toreceive and support a complete Venetian blind in fixed relation on saidmembers, means for driving said shaft to cause said members and theblind supported thereon to pass through the cleaning fluid in said tank,and at least one of said blind supporting members being mounted foraxial adjustment on said shaft relative to the other of said members,thereby to adapt the apparatus for washing blinds of different lengths.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means is provided forspacing apart the slats of each blind, thereby to permit freecirculation of the cleaning fluid therebetween, when the blinds arepassed through the cleaning fluid by rotation of the shaft.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means provided in saidmembers for spacing apart the slats of each blind comprises a pair ofopposed bars having their inwardly directed edges serrated and arrangedto clampingly engage the opposed edges of the slats of a given blind,thereby to separate said slats from one another and simultaneouslyretain the blinds in position on said members.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the driving means for saidshaft includes an operating unit adapted to alternately rotate the shaftin opposite direetions.

5. In an apparatus for washing Venetian blinds, an elongated tank havinga cleaning fluid therein, a shaft rotatable in said tank, a plurality ofblind supporting members non-rotatably secured to said shaft, and eachincluding a hub having opposed flat faces, an open frame secured to eachof said flat faces and comprising inner and outer frame elements ofchannel cross-section and opposed side elements, one of said sideelements being mounted for pivotal movement, whereby it may be swung inan open position to permit insertion of a blind into each frame, thenon-pivoted side frame elements of each blind supporting frame having aplurality of longitudinally spaced inwardly directed teeth or serrationsfor receiving the edges of the slats at one side of a blind insertedinto said frame, a movable bar inserted into said frame and having aninwardly directed serrated edge adapted to engage the edges at theopposite sides of the slats and cooperating with the serrations on saidnon-pivoted side frame element to support a blind in said frame with itsslats spaced apart to provide fluid circulating passages therebetween,said pivoted side frame elements, when in closed position, retainingsaid blind and movable serrated bar in operative position in the blindsupporting frame.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each blind supportingframe is adapted to support two Venetian blinds in spaced parallelrelation with the slats of each blind spaced apart to provide fluidcirculating passages therebetween.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein means is provided forcirculating air through the tank to dry the blinds, subsequent todraining the cleaning fiuid from the tank, whereby the blinds may bethoroughly washed, cleaned, and dried without changing the positions ofthe blinds in their supporting frames.

8. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for driving theshaft includes a motor-driven speed reducer and an operating unit foralternately driving the shaft, first in one direction, and then in theopposite direction, thereby to cause the cleaning fluid to impart -*ascouring action on the surfaces of the slats of the blinds to quicklyand positively remove all foreign matter therefrom.

9. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the limbs of the blindsupporting members are axially adjustable on the shaft to adapt theapparatus for washing (blinds of different lengths.

Name Date Krehbiel Apr. 9, 1907 Number

